Yahoo News Drink-driver was nearly four times over limit when stopped on way to get more booze
A drink-driver was nearly four times over the limit when she was stopped travelling to a shop for more booze.
Members of public had seen Tracey Craig behind the wheel of her Mini Cooper and were so concerned about her level of intoxication that they took her keys from her and rang the police, a court heard. Officers arrived at the scene in Blyth and the 47-year-old failed a roadside breath test, giving a staggering reading of 128mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when the legal limit is just 35mcg.
In interview, the grandmother admitted having downed a number of vodka and cokes and to driving to her local shop in order to buy more alcohol. Craig, of Edendale Court, in Blyth, has now been given a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and banned from the roads for three years after she pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.
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Paul Anderson, prosecuting at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court, said members of public contacted the police at around 6.40pm on October 20. Officers attended Weardale avenue and found Craig sat in the back of someone else's car.
Mr Anderson continued: "She blows well over the limit on the roadside test. The reading is a very high one, 128mcg in breath. The reading actually takes you above the custodial threshold.
"She accepts driving the vehicle and being over the limit. She said a member of public took her keys from her to prevent her from driving further."
The court heard that Craig, who has no past convictions, had been driving to the shop in order to buy more vodka when she was stopped. Graham Crouth, defending, said Craig now admitted she had a problem with alcohol.
Mr Crouth added: "She's had a difficult life. At the time of this offence, she was drinking a bottle of vodka a day." Magistrates also ordered Craig yo do 40 hours of unpaid work and ordered her to pay a total of £239 in costs and a victim surcharge.
